Our Locations
CAES has a host of centers, institutes and labs on three campuses across Georgia where world-renowned research is conducted. Learn more about these facilities and programs.
Centers, Institutes & Labs

Improving Lives through Research
Our research has improved the quality of life for Georgians and others worldwide for more than 100 years.

UGA Extension
UGA Cooperative Extension shares information on issues like water quality, profitability in agribusiness, family wellness and life skills with the public through county agents and specialists.
UGA Extension

Our Expertise Delivered to You
A variety of programs, services, workshops, classes, consultations, vertifications, camps, and educator resources to help farmers, gardeners, landscapers, and families across Georgia and beyond.

Find Out More
CAES hosts several annual events, lectures and series including the D.W. Brooks Lecture and Awards, Flavor of Georgia, Georgia Ag Forecast and International Agriculture Day.
Conferences & Annual Events

News & Events
Read the latest news from CAES and visit the media newswire for all CAES and UGA Extension news. For events, feel free to check out our calendar.

Buddy Leger

Birth: 06/09/1931

Date Honored: 09/14/2012

Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame

Buddy Leger, who has grown pecans and watermelons in Cordele since the 1960s, was inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame in honor of his lifelong support of agriculture and his work expanding markets for some of Georgia's top commodities — watermelons and pecans.

He founded the National Watermelon Promotion Board in the 1980s to bring together watermelon producers and shippers to support research into better watermelon varieties and growing techniques.

In 1995 he spearheaded the creation of the Georgia Commodity Commission for Pecans. The group, composed of pecan producers across the state, has helped pay for increased marketing of Georgia pecans, which has created a national and international market for the nuts.

Leger has served on dozens of statewide policy-making and advisory boards over the last 50 years. He is the founding president of the National Watermelon Research and Promotion Board, a former president of the Georgia and National Watermelon associations, a former president of the National Pecan Marketing Council, a former president of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association and served on Governor Sonny Perdue's Agricultural Advisory Committee, where he chaired a sub-committee on education.

He currently sits on the executive council of the National Watermelon Association, the Georgia Community Rural Development Council, UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Advisory Council and the Upper Flint Regional Water Planning Council.